December 13, 2014 (Rossland, BC) – The Black Jack ski club in Rossland B.C. has seen it’s share of miserable rainy weather in the last week but thanks to the tireless shoveling efforts of volunteers and even coaches, the club remained on track host the first Haywood NorAm race on Saturday. The morning the sun was out for race day and there was enough snow remaining for some quality racing.

Open women's podium © CCC

By virtue of a fast 2nd lap, Alysson Marshall from Larch Hills Nordic set the women’s standard with a time of 21:07 in their 7.5km race (2×3.75). Andrea Dupont of Rocky Mountain Racers was second at 12 seconds back and Junior, Annah Hanthorn of Whitehorse, was a bit more than a second later taking 3rd. Hanthorn raced the second lap a full 12 seconds faster than the rest of the field.

Taking 3rd in the senior category was Whitehorse’s Dahria Beatty followed by junior skier, Maya McIssac-Jones (Rocky Mountain Racers). Sophie Carrier-Laforte from Skinouk in 12th place overall was the 3rd fastest junior woman.

“It’s great to be back at the NorAm’s,” said Marshall. “The track was amazing considering what the Club had to work with. Good to see some of the younger girls on the podium. Annah killed the second lap!”

Junior men's podium © CCC

On the Open Men’s side the U.S. dominated the top 10, filling six positions. First place went to U.S. veteran World Cup competitor Kris Freeman (Waterville) by a substantial 49-second margin over Welle Ramsey of Maine Wintersports. Michael Somppi of Lappe Nordic landed on the men’s podium in third as the top Canadian just over a second behind Ramsey in the battle for the silver.

Benjamin Lustgarten (Sun Valley SEF) was fourth, Brian Gregg (Loppet Nordic Racing) was 5th, Matthew Phillip Gelso (Sun Valley SEF) was 6th followed by Canucks Bob Thompson of Team Hardwood in 7th and Patrick Stewart-Jones of Nakkertok in 8th.

The top juniors were all from Quebec, Skibec’s Alexis Dumas, Zachary Cristofanilli of Orford and another Skibec skier, Olivier Hamel.

Full results here.